It is 21st December 2017. We celebrate the memorial of Saint Peter Canisius, doctor of the Church. The readings are from Song of Songs 2:8-14 and the Gospel from Luke 1:39-45. God visits and assures His love for us through His personal visitation. We are the beloved ones of God. It is the story of love between God and us without conditions and boundaries. God wants to visit us during this time of Advent. All who are well prepared, expecting and waiting for the Lord are going to enjoy a time of blessings. It is up to us to receive God into our lives during the Advent and beyond or we can also make God to wait outside the doors of our souls and lives. Every divine visitation has a purpose and the impact that is sure to be seen in us. God’s affection and intimacy is unfathomable and beyond human comprehension in any measure. The responsorial Psalm acclaims, “Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just; O sing him a song that is new.” (Ps.32:3). The Gospel passage explains the visit and the impact of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. A divine visitation brings joy and the recognition of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Mary, our mother sets a tone for all the believers to consider visiting the elderly, the expectant mothers, the needy and the vulnerable. We all need to visit the others like our mother. We need to visit those who are down with seasonal and perennial illness. Our visit must bring out God’s presence among God’s people. We must not merely have satisfied with social visits. The visitation is the time of recognition. Mary recognizes and acknowledges the mighty work of God done in the life of Elizabeth. Moreover, Elizabeth acknowledges that Mary is filled with Holy Spirit and carries Jesus, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” (Lk. 39:42). It is indeed the time of joy and they were all rejoicing. May we grow in such spiritual friendship and meaningful visitation that makes us to come closer to God. God visit us whether we like it or not. May God continue to bless during this very special time of the year. May you have a good day.

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